Detecting and Notifying of Drowning Conditions in a Swimmer

ABSTRACT

A life saving device, system and method arranged for detecting drowning conditions and pre-conditions in a swimmer within a body of water. The device comprises at least one movement sensor, an optical sensor and a pulse sensor wherein all sensors being in direct communication with the swimmer&#39;s body and further coupled to a processing unit which is coupled in turn to a wireless data transference unit. The movement sensors are arranged for identifying bodily movements patterns and orientation, the optical sensor is arranged for sensing oxygen level in the blood of the swimmer, the pulse sensor is arranged for sensing the heartbeat rate of the swimmer and the processing unit is arranged to process data from all sensors and determine drowning conditions and pre-conditions according to predefined parameters wherein the parameters are swimmer specific and exhibit a learning process.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to appliances pertaining to water relatedrecreational activities and, more particularly, to an apparatus, methodand system for detecting and notifying of drowning conditions in aperson within a body of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drowning accidents claim the life of thousands of people each year.While the reasons for drowning are varied, there is a wide consensusthat drowning is an evolving process along time that is characterized bywell defined preconditions. Detecting the preconditions and alerting athird party such as a lifeguard in real time, may effectively contributeto reducing drowning death toll.

Scientific researches show that preconditions for a drowning swimmerindicate a reduction of the amount of oxygen in his or her blood, achange in his or her heartbeat rate and movements of body parts havingspecific characteristics.

In many cases drowning conditions and pre-conditions manifestdifferently from one swimmer to another. Thus, drowning indicators forone person may not be considered valid for another, hence the problem offalse alarm and no detection in these cases.

Several attempts have been made to provide devices that are coupled to aperson's body and are arranged to detect various aspects of evolvingphysical conditions, in real-time.

US Publication 2004260191 which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety discloses an exercise monitoring system which includes anelectronic positioning device; a physiological monitor; and a displayunit configured for displaying data provided by said electronicpositioning device and said physiological monitor.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,567,004 which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety discloses an apparatus for automatically reporting an eventincludes an actuator having a sensor for sensing the event and providingan actuation signal, a controller having a signal generator forformatting data corresponding to the event to form a report signal, anda transmitter for transmitting the report signal. The actuator mayinclude a water-activated switch to sense the event or a motion detectorto sense the event. The actuator may sense a signal corresponding to achange in a monitored physiological parameter of a person coupled to theapparatus

None of these attempts take into account the characteristics of adrowning person, specifically in light of the unique characterizes fordrowning varying from one person to another

It would be advantageous to have a device that may detect, in real time,drowning conditions and pre-conditions of a swimmer within a body ofwater and further provide an alert to potential help.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention, in embodiments thereof,is to provide life saving device (also referred to as: “drowningdetector”), system and method arranged for detecting drowning conditionsand pre-conditions in a person within a body of water (hereinafter: “aswimmer”). The device may comprise at least one movement sensor, anoximeter and a pulse sensor wherein all sensors being in directcommunication with the swimmer's body and further coupled to aprocessing unit which is coupled in turn to a wireless data transferenceunit.

The movement sensors are arranged for identifying bodily movements, theoximeter is arranged for sensing oxygen level in the blood of theswimmer, the pulse sensor is arranged for sensing the heartbeat rate ofthe swimmer and the processing unit is arranged to process data from allsensors and determine drowning conditions and pre-conditions accordingto predefined parameters wherein the parameters are swimmer specific andmay exhibit a learning process.

In embodiments, the present invention discloses a method of detectingand notifying of drowning conditions in a swimmer. The method comprises:optically or otherwise sensing a swimmer's body for detecting the oxygenlevel in his or her blood; (optionally) detecting the swimmer'smovements; processing the detected characteristics and determiningwhether drowning conditions or pre conditions exist, in accordance withpredefined patterns and optionally, in view of the swimmer's uniquetracked swimming behavior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention will become more clearlyunderstood in light of the ensuing description of embodiments herein,given by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion ofthe present invention only, with reference to the accompanying drawings(Figures, or simply “FIG.”), wherein:

FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram showing a device for detecting andnotifying of drowning conditions in a swimmer according to someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a high level flow chart showing stages of the method accordingto some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a high level block diagram showing a system for detecting andnotifying of drowning conditions in a swimmer according to someembodiments of the present invention.

The drawings together with the description make apparent to thoseskilled in the art how the invention may be embodied in practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that theteachings of the present disclosure may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures,components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not toobscure the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a high level schematic block diagram of device (drowningdetector) 100 for detecting drowning conditions and pre-conditions in aswimmer 110 within a body of water (not shown). Device 100 comprises: atleast one movement sensor 125 attachable or in direct communication withto swimmer's body 110; an oximeter 130 attachable or in directcommunication with swimmer's body 110; a pulse sensor 120 attachable orin direct communication with swimmer's body 110; a processing andcontrol unit 150 that is coupled to movement sensor 125, pulse sensor120, and further connected to oximeter 130. Device 100 further comprisesa database 140 connected to processing and control unit 150; a RadioFrequency/Ultrasound (RF/US) transceiver 170 coupled to the processingunit 150 and further coupled to an RF antenna 180 and to a US transducer190.

In Operation, all sensors are in direct communication with the swimmer'sbody. Movement sensor 125 is arranged to identify bodily movementspatterns and orientation, oximeter 130 is arranged to sense oxygen levelin the blood of swimmer 110, pulse sensor 120 is arranged to sense theheartbeat rate of swimmer 110 and processing unit 150 is arranged toprocess data from all the sensors and determine drowning conditions andpre-conditions according to predefined parameters wherein the parametersare swimmer specific and are stored in database 140. The determining ofdrowning conditions and pre conditions may exhibit a learning processthat may be stored in database 140.

According to some embodiments, there is further provided a rechargeablepower source 175 coupled to processing and control unit 170. Therechargeable power source may comprise an electromagnetic generatorbased upon electromagnetic inductance or any other rechargeable sourcethat may or may not be related to the movements of the swimmer.

According to some embodiments of the invention, each movement sensor maycomprise a three dimensional accelerometer, inertial gyros and the like(not shown), arranged for outputting momentary acceleration values ofthe swimmer's body parts.

According to some embodiments of the invention, RF/US transceiver 170comprises a dual ultrasound and radio frequency transceiver andprocessing unit 150 is arranged to operate the ultrasound transceiverfor underwater data transference and the radio frequency transceiver forabove the water data transference respectively.

According to some embodiments database 140 is operable to store swimmerspecific swimming patterns in view of the level of oxygen and heartbeatrate. This data, comprising swimming history may be used in determiningdrowning conditions and pre conditions.

According to some embodiments of the invention, processing unit 150 isfurther arranged to track the normal behavior of a swimmer and comparesaid normal behavior to the momentarily movements, heartbeat rate andlevel of oxygen in the blood of the swimmer.

FIG. 2 is a high level flow chart showing stages of the method ofdetecting and notifying of drowning conditions in a swimmer according tothe present invention. The method comprises: optically sensing aswimmer's body for detecting the oxygen level in his or her blood 210;(Optionally) detecting the swimmer's movements 220; detecting theheartbeat rate of the swimmer 230; processing the detectedcharacteristics 240; and determining whether drowning conditions or preconditions exist, in accordance with predefined patterns and optionally,swimmer's unique tracked swimming behavior 250. It should be clear thatthe above steps are not necessarily performed in the above order and anyorder of sensing, or simultaneous sensing is possible.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the disclosed method maycomprise in addition to determining whether drowning conditions or preconditions, transmitting, via a transceiver, a warning message over anultrasound channel and/or a radio frequency channel in accordance withthe location of the transceiver in relation to the body of water(underwater or above water).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the disclosed method maycomprise, before determining whether drowning conditions or preconditions exist, tracking the normal pattern of swimming of theswimmer, wherein the pattern may comprises: average level of oxygen inthe blood of the swimmer, average heartbeat rate, and average movementsof the swimmer.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the disclosed method maycomprise determining whether drowning conditions or pre conditions existis achieved by comparing detected level of oxygen, the movements and theheartbeat rate of the swimmer with the normal pattern of swimming ofsaid swimmer.

FIG. 3 shows a high level schematic block diagram of an alert system fordetecting drowning conditions in swimmers (not shown) in a swimming pool300 or any other body of water. The system comprises a plurality ofdevices for detecting drowning conditions (drowning detectors) 100A-Cthat are coupled to a third party unit such as a receiving unit 320 (oneor more) that is situated near, or in communication with another system(such as an alarm system or a cellular messaging system or an Internetmessaging system) or a person such as a lifeguard personnel. The systemmay also comprise a relay (one or more) unit 310 that is located withinthe pool or any other body of water, 300 and that is in directcommunication with the drowning detector 100A-C and with the receivingunit 320.

According to some embodiments of the invention, drowning detector 100may comprise all the functionality required for receiving unit 300 suchthat same device may be use both as a drowning detector 100 and as areceiving unit 300.

In Operation, each drowning detector 100A-C transmits alert signals uponthe detection of drowning conditions in accordance with the descriptionabove.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the receiving unit 320is further equipped with audio or visual alert means such as buzzer,sound generator, light display, and any alert system that is operativelyassociated with a communication network such as the Internet or acellular phone network.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the devices 100A-Cfurther comprises an radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (notshown) that holds information regarding the identity of the swimmer.This may be used for identification upon entering the pool or as anaccess restriction means.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the disclosed devicefurther comprises a global positioning system (GPS) unit, or any otherpositioning system, wherein this unit is arranged to detect the physicallocation of the swimmer and present it for transmission via RF/UStransceiver 170. Alternatively, relay unit 310 is arranged to presentreceiving unit 320 with location information. This may be achieved bylocating a plurality of relay units 310 within pool 300 such that theyare operatively associated together.

According to some embodiments of the invention, receiving unit 320 anddrowning detector 100 may be arranged to be worn on the body of theswimmer or the lifeguard respectively. Alternatively, both drowningdetector 100 and receiving unit 320 are implemented on the same device.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system can beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware,firmware, software, or in combinations thereof.

The invention can be implemented advantageously in one or more computerprograms that are executable on a programmable system including at leastone programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructionsfrom, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system,at least one input device, and at least one output device. A computerprogram is a set of instructions that can be used, directly orindirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity or bring about acertain result. A computer program can be written in any form ofprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, andit can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or asa module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in acomputing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructionsinclude, by way of example, digital signal processors (DSPs) but alsogeneral purpose microprocessors, and the sole processor or one ofmultiple processors of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor willreceive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random accessmemory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor forexecuting instructions and one or more memories for storing instructionsand data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operativelycoupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices forstoring data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andoptical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computerprogram instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementationof the inventions. The various appearances of “one embodiment,” “anembodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to thesame embodiments.

Although various features of the invention may be described in thecontext of a single embodiment, the features may also be providedseparately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although theinvention may be described herein in the context of separate embodimentsfor clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a singleembodiment.

Reference in the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”,“one embodiment” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but notnecessarily all embodiments, of the inventions.

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employedherein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptivepurpose only.

The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may bebetter understood with reference to the accompanying description,figures and examples.

It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construea limitation to an application of the invention.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carriedout or practiced in various ways and that the invention can beimplemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in thedescription above.

It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”,“consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude theaddition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers orgroups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifyingcomponents, features, steps or integers.

If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, thatdoes not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to“a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there isonly one of that element.

It is to be understood that where the specification states that acomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can”or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure,or characteristic is not required to be included.

Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may beused to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to thosediagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow neednot move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the sameorder as illustrated and described.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing orcompleting manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selectedsteps or tasks.

The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and proceduresfor accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, thosemanners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readilydeveloped from known manners, means, techniques and procedures bypractitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in theclaims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting butrather as illustrative only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to becommonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which theinvention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

The present invention may be implemented in the testing or practice withmethods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles,referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated intheir entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if eachindividual publication was specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of anyreference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shallnot be construed as an admission that such reference is available asprior art to the present invention.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on thescope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of thepreferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, andapplications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly,the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus farbeen described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

1. A device for detecting drowning conditions and pre-conditions in aswimmer within a body of water, comprising: an oximeter; a pulse sensor;a processing unit; and a transceiver coupled to the processing unit,wherein the sensors are in direct communication with the swimmer's bodyand further coupled to the processing unit, and wherein the oximeter isarranged to sense oxygen levels in blood of the swimmer, the pulsesensor is arranged to sense a heartbeat rate of the swimmer, and theprocessing unit is arranged to process data from the sensors anddetermine drowning conditions and pre-conditions according to predefinedparameters.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least onemovement sensor in direct communication with the body of the swimmer andcoupled to the processing unit, wherein the movement sensor is arrangedto identify bodily movements patterns and orientation.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein each said the movement sensor comprises a plurality ofmulti dimensional accelerometers arranged to output momentaryacceleration values of the swimmer's body parts.
 4. The device of claim1, wherein the transceiver comprises a dual ultrasound and radiofrequency transceiver, and wherein the processing unit is arranged tooperate the ultrasound transceiver for underwater data transference andthe radio frequency transceiver for above the water data transference.5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a database coupled to theprocessing unit, wherein the database is arranged to store swimmerspecific swimming patterns in view of the level of oxygen and heartbeatrate.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is furtherarranged to track the normal behavior of a swimmer and compare thenormal behavior to the sensed momentary movements, heartbeat rate andlevel of oxygen in the blood of the swimmer.
 7. The device of claim 1,further comprising a positioning system unit arranged to detect thephysical location of the swimmer and present the detected physicallocation for transmission via the transceiver.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the device is operatively associated with an alert system viathe transceiver.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the alert system isoperable with a plurality of devices for identifying drowningconditions.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeablepower source that is arranged to be charged by the movements of theswimmer.
 11. A method of detecting and notifying of drowning conditionsin a swimmer, comprising: sensing a swimmer's body for detecting a bloodoxygen level; detecting the swimmer's movements; detecting a heartbeatrate of the swimmer; and processing the detected level of oxygen,movements and heartbeat rate of the swimmer and determining whetherdrowning conditions or pre conditions exist, in accordance withpredefined patterns.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determiningwhether drowning conditions or pre conditions is followed bytransmitting, via a transceiver, a warning message over an ultrasoundchannel or a radio frequency channel responsive of a location of thetransceiver in relation to the body of water.
 13. The method of claim11, wherein determining whether drowning conditions or pre conditionsexist is preceded by tracking a normal pattern of swimming of theswimmer, and wherein the pattern comprises an average level of oxygen inthe blood of the swimmer, an average heartbeat rate, or an of averagemovements of the swimmer.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereindetermining whether drowning conditions or pre conditions exist isachieved by comparing the detected level of oxygen, the movements, andthe heartbeat rate of the swimmer with the normal pattern of swimming ofthe swimmer.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the warning messagecomprises data relating to the location of the swimmer.
 16. A system fordetecting and notifying of drowning conditions and pre-conditions in aswimmer within a body of water, the system comprising: at least onedrowning detector comprising: an oximeter; a pulse sensor; a processingunit; and a transceiver coupled to the processing unit, wherein thesensors are in direct communication with the swimmer's body and furthercoupled to the processing unit, and wherein the oximeter is arranged tosense oxygen levels in the blood of the swimmer, the pulse sensor isarranged to sense the heartbeat rate of the swimmer and the processingunit is arranged to process data from the sensors and determine drowningconditions and pre-conditions according to predefined parameters; andwherein the transceiver is arranged to transmit an alert signal upondetermination of drowning condition and pre conditions; at least onereceiving unit; and at least one relay unit, wherein the relay unit isarranged to receive alert signals from the transceiver and deliver themto the receiving unit.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the movementsensor comprises a plurality of multi dimensional accelerometersarranged to output momentary acceleration values of the swimmer's bodyparts.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the transceiver comprises adual ultrasound and radio frequency transceiver, and wherein theprocessing unit is arranged to operate the ultrasound transceiver forunderwater data transference and the radio frequency transceiver forabove the water data transference.
 19. The system of claim 16, whereinthe receiving unit and the drowning detector are implemented together ona wearable device.
 20. The system of claim 16 wherein the relay unit isfurther arranged to deliver data relating to a location of the swimmerto the receiving unit.